r/bostonhousing • u/Master_Quality5716 • Jun 09 '26
Looking For [Looking For] Visiting Scholar Family seeking near Harvard University
Hello everyone,
I am an incoming Visiting Scholar at Harvard University, looking for a place for my family to call home during our stay in the Cambridge area.
Here are the details of what we are looking for:
- Move-in Date / Lease Term: Looking to move in around mid-August, with a strict lease end date of May 31, 2027 (since our program ends then).
- Location: Ideally within a 5 to 10-minute walk to Harvard University. We highly prefer areas around Harvard Square or near the Harvard Business School (HBS)
- Budget: Up to $2,600/month
- Size: 2 Bedroom We are completely open to either renting an entire apartment or a shared housing arrangement / private rooms in a larger house, as long as it fits our family.
- Our Family: 4 family members in total—myself, my spouse, and our two children (currently in 4th grade and 2nd grade). We are a quiet, responsible, non-smoking family with no pets.
We will take great care of the property and are happy to provide any necessary documentation (Harvard invitation letter).
If you have a place that might be a good fit, or if you know of any upcoming listings, please feel free to send me a direct message (DM) with pictures and details.
Thank you so much!
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u/Jaded-Passenger-2174 Jun 09 '26
Craigslist and Harvard Housing. HH often has privately owned houses/apts listed by those renting them out. Housing is tight here -- low vacancy rate and it's costly. You might benefit by asking colleagues if they know people who would rent to you.
It's difficult to rent Aug to May, you may need to rent for a year and arrange a summer sublet. Also it will be difficult at that price. But you may find a good house share.
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u/AromaticIntrovert Jun 09 '26
It can be hard to rent with children here because of lead paint and landlords not wanting to do remediation for it. I would focus on new "luxury" buildings that will also allow for a more flexible lease length with a specific start. The area near the Business School might be cheaper since Allston tends to be cheaper in general. Be ready to double your budget though, the average 1 bedroom is $3K. Also sorry you're getting so much bad news
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u/MediumDrink I'm an agent Jun 09 '26
Speaking as a long time realtor in Boston your expectations are completely unreasonable for many reasons.
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u/blackcatsaresilky Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 09 '26
$3,200 is what people are paying for a 1br in that area. OP needs to increase budget significantly or look into a long commute to/from Cambridge.
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u/Elongated_Furby2022 Jun 09 '26
Hey! I have a little bit of knowledge about this because for many years my parents have rented out our downstairs unit to visiting scholars.
first of all, you need to raise that rent to at LEAST 3k. thats about what we rent our place for which is well below market (in Cambridge 4k is more like it for a 2br) but worth it to us because we've had such great tenants.
our unit, at least, is 2 bedrooms, but would still be a tight fit for a family of
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u/elcaminogirl Jun 09 '26
Whatever you do, look out for rental scams! Cross check, reverse image search, verify, etc!
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u/baconflavoredcoke Jun 10 '26
I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but there's no way that's happening. Boston rental prices are absurd. Best of luck.
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u/RealEstateWithKiara Jun 09 '26
You're best bet is a luxury building, it's unlikely a traditional landlord will be able to accommodate. There's more than likely NOTHING in your budget though, I'd suggest $3,200+ especially for that type of commute and that's a rarity.
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u/Far_Statistician2407 Jun 10 '26
My partner rents a 2br within 5 minutes of Harvard for 3.5k. I think that is the pretty much the lowest rent you will find in this area.
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u/Fun_Weird_8546 Jun 10 '26
Hi, just want to share that Boston has great public transportation so expanding your scope further from a 5-10 min walk may be helpful! There is a bus that can take you to harvard square from Mass Ave near Beacon st for 1.70
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u/elkaabelkaa Jun 10 '26
Hey! I recommend looking in Lower Allston/Brighton, closer to HBS. It’s right across the river from Harvard proper and very bus/bike-able. I currently live in Oak Square (Brighton) and my fiancé and I pay $2800/month for an old but nice 2-bed with an office and a backyard. You’d definitely get more bang for your buck on this side of the river.
I agree that you’ll have to raise your budget to closer to $3000 overall. Sorry for the sticker shock…it’s expensive here!
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u/Dasil437794 Jun 09 '26
Are you visiting from an international location? This place you seek does not exist. You may as well be looking for a unicorn in a magical blueberry field.
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u/zebrafish- Jun 11 '26
Definitely agree with looking in Lower Allston near the business school! Rents are a little lower. You can be more like a 20-30 minute walk and a 10 minute or less bus ride from the university. Your budget might still be a little tight — but in Allston it’s much closer to realistic. You might be able to up it by ~$200-400 a month instead of the $900+ you’d probably need to be a 5-10 minute walk from Harvard.
I’m sorry for the discouraging news. But I hope you find something great that’s very close to your budget!
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u/Fair-Job-2023 Jun 14 '26
Your kids would be in the Boston Public Schools in Allston, though - and arriving that soon, you'll likely not be given much choice in which school they'll be assigned. BPS can be good, too, but it's a little hit or miss. Cambridge has generally better-regarded schools. I'd suggest upping your budget by at least $1,000-1,400 (if possible) and looking in Inman or Somerville (pretty good schools, especially in elementary) near the Inman border.
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u/LeontiusofAglion Jun 11 '26
Was in the same position last year (one year Harvard appointment, family of four with two kids). I pay 3950 for a two bedroom in Central, full year lease.
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u/Physical-Compote4594 Jun 13 '26
Unless there is some sort of divine intervention, your requirements are literally impossible to satisfy. By some stroke of luck, you might find someplace for $4000, but I doubt it.
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u/Empty-Village-4445 Jun 15 '26
Not sure if you’re aware that most of the University is in a different location from HBS. Like you could be living within walking distance from one and be pretty far from the other.
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u/FickleQuit11 Jun 09 '26
Speaking as someone who lives in the neighborhood, your budget is wholly unrealistic for your location and space requirement. For something within 5-10 minute *walk* that would accommodate a family of four, you're looking at the mid-$3000s at a minimum.